I was 19, I was just out of a series of bad relationships, and I decided I was taking the summer off from dating. My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer and I was working 3 jobs. Also I was just the maid of honor in my high school friend, Jennifer Sundberg's wedding. While I was in Phoenix I also heard that another high school friend, Audra Curtis was also getting married the same day. Why didn't anyone want to marry me? (FYI now that I look back on this I realize how stupid I was) I was confused and needed a break, a loveless summer. I got just the opposite.
My cousin Nikki worked in the deli at Schnucks. I visited her when she was working and I was bored. The deli was next to the meat department where Roy worked. Nikki was on a mission to set me up with someone even though I was not in the mood. One day she pulled Roy out of the backroom and tried to introduce us. I hid, like I said not interested. She called me in the next couple days and said he wanted my number. I said no. She asked several more times and I declined. One day while visiting Nikki I was approached by Roy in a bloody meat apron asking for my number. I blew him off, but he was persistent. What can I say, he wanted me. (ha,ha) So I gave in and then a strange thing happened. I got this weird calming feeling. Looking back years later I realized I knew he was the one. I've never told him that.
He called me twice on a Tuesday. I still have the message my sister wrote down for me. I didn't call him back. That Friday was my 20th birthday. I spent it with my 2 good friends Amanda and Meghan in Amanda's basement drinking strawberry daiquiris. After a few I called Roy. We decided to go out the following Tuesday.
On Tuesday (June 22, 1999) he took me to a baseball game. I felt like we hit it off right away. I told him to stop looking at my butt, he laughed when I told him I tanned. We compared tattoos. It was love (ok probably not yet)
After that date we were exclusive without even discussing it. He wined and dined me at expensive restaurants and always brought me roses. We didn't even kiss until our 3rd or 4th date.
He proposed in Cancun on our hotel balcony right after sunset with the waves crashing. It was perfect. I should probably mention I was nasty and bitchy to him for hours leading up the his proposal. He always insists I mention that part.
We were married on October 20, 2001.
Eleven years after our first date here we are. Despite our current "issues" I like to think we are happier then ever. I think it's funny when people ask old married couples the secret to a happy marriage. If you're in a good marriage, you already know and it is probably different for everyone. I can't imagine being happier with Roy. We make each other laugh, we fight, and we are completely honest with each other. He tells me when things make me look fat and I love it. No seriously. Our wedding vows should've been for fat or skinny, messy house or messier house, crabby or happy...
PS Jamie Mehan is a genious for coming up with this great idea of telling our love stories.
